Sevenoaks care home residents team up with local fire brigade for matchday magic

Football fever has officially kicked off at a care home in Sevenoaks as residents welcomed a local fire brigade for an afternoon of sporting fun. 

Care UK’s Weald Heights, on Bourchier Close, teamed up with visitors from Kent Fire and Rescue Service for a football-themed party and to take part in a penalty shootout, joining the nation in celebrating the huge summer of sport. 

With the team sporting Arsenal and Chelsea shirts, residents enjoyed refereeing and cheering on the local fire service and team members battling it out in a heated ‘beat the goalie’ competition, before shooting some goals themselves. Attendees were also treated to a host of drinks and hot dogs, specially made by the home’s talented head chef.

88-year-old resident Grahame said, “It took me back to playing football when I was young and to make the afternoon even more special, I won a trophy for beating the goalie – what a fun afternoon!”

The event was part of Care UK’s  ‘Goal-den Moments' initiative, which aims to bring generations together, encouraging residents to reminisce about cherished football memories with the local community and create new memories together.

Maria Covington, Home Manager at Weald Heights, said: “We had a ball opening our doors to the Kent Fire and Rescue Service to take part in a penalty shootout! For many residents, football is more than just the beautiful game – it represents a lifetime of treasured memories and traditions. This event allowed us to honour these special moments and bring them to life once again.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to bring the local community together for a day of matchday magic. It was truly heartwarming to watch residents reminisce and share their favourite football stories from years gone by.

“We’d like to extend a huge thank you to the Kent Fire and Rescue Service for joining us and making this a day to remember. With spirits high, everyone involved proved they still have plenty of goal-den skills to show off!”

For more information about Goal-den Moments, please visit www.careuk.com/goal-den-moments

Weald Heights is a purpose-built care home designed to deliver luxury hotel-style comfort for residents, complete with a bar, hair and beauty salon, cinema and beautiful gardens. The home is divided into residential, nursing and dementia care suites, encouraging close-knit communities in which residents can get to know each other, and people with similar needs can be cared for together.